Delight your taste buds with this zesty Lemon Bundt Cake!
It’s a perfect blend of citrusy goodness and moist texture.
A quick dessert made with a box cake mix and lemon gelatin that is light and fluffy, a tasty treat for any occasion!
I recently saw Jamie Lee Curtis on the Today Show raving about her favorite lemon cake and I thought to myself, well that sounds like the lemon cake I make!
It’s a recipe from the Cake Doctor that I’ve tweaked to my liking over the years!
This delicious cake has so much flavor, it’s a hit every time I make it, so let’s start baking!
Duncan Hines Lemon Bundt Cake
Ingredients For Easy Lemon Cake
Yellow Cake Mix: For this recipe, Duncan Hines Lemon Cake Mix was used. There are a lot of boxes of cake mix to choose from, you can use your favorite box of lemon cake mix.
Lemon Gelatin: Yes, lemon gelatin not lemon pudding.
Vegetable Oil: Sunflower, canola, or corn oil can also be used.
Water: Hot water is the key.
Vanilla Extract: Adding vanilla helps round out the tanginess of lemon.
Lemon Extract: Just a few drops of lemon extract enhances any lemon cake recipe.
Large Eggs: Using room temperature eggs in baked goods contributes to the fluffiness of the final product.
Simple Glaze Ingredients
Confectioners’ Sugar: Also known as powdered sugar or icing sugar.
Fresh Lemon Juice: For the best lemon flavor, fresh is best!
Milk: Adds a little richness to the glaze. Heavy cream or half and half can be used.
Optional Garnish: Lemon zest and fresh blueberries.
Helpful Equipment and Tools
- Large mixing bowl
- Hand mixer
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Bundt pan
- Cake tester or a toothpick
- Hand citrus juicer
- Wire rack
- Serving plate
- Zester tool
- Small mixing bowl
- Oven mitts
How To Make Lemon Bundt Cake
- Spray bundt pan with cooking spray and dust with flour.
- Add the box of cake mix and lemon gelatin powder into a large mixing bowl.
- Pour in the oil, hot water, vanilla extract, and lemon extract.
- Mix ingredients until just slightly combined.
- Slowly add the eggs and mix, scraping the sides if needed.
- Increase to medium speed and beat until completely blended and smooth.
- Pour batter evenly into the prepared bundt cake pan.
- Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake.
- The cake is done when it is light golden brown and has just begun to pull away from the sides of the pan. (see FAQ’s)
- Use oven mittens and remove the pan from the oven.
- Cool on a wire rack.
Prepare The Lemon Glaze
While the cake is cooling, combine all the glaze ingredients and mix until smooth. (see Recipe Tips)
- Run a knife around the sides of the pan, invert and remove from the pan on to a serving platter. (see FAQ’s)
- Tap and gently shake the pan so the cake slowly releases and comes out.
- Spoon glaze over the warm cake.
- Sprinkle lemon zest over the top.
- Slice and serve.
See recipe card below for complete measurements and bake time.
Recipe Tips
Adjust the amount of lemon juice for the desired consistency of the glaze. Less for thicker and more for thinner.
With the quantities listed in this recipe, most of the glaze is absorbed into the moist cake. Decrease the lemon juice to one tablespoon for a harder icing.
The rind of one lemon produces about 1 tablespoon of zest.
Using a citrus zester is the easiest tool, but the small side of a cheese grater can be used in a pinch!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to invert a cake pan?
Run a long sharp knife around the edge of the cake pan.
Place a large plate on top of the cake pan. While holding the plate firmly in place, flip it so the plate is on the bottom and the cake pan is on top of the plate.
Tap and gently shake the pan so the cake slowly releases and comes out in one piece.
How do you know if a cake is completely baked?
The edges of a cake should slightly pull away from the cake pan. The color should be golden brown for light cakes and chocolate cakes should have a shiny matte look.
Use the toothpick test: A toothpick or cake tester should come out clean after inserting into the center of the baked cake.
Are you a lemon lover? Then you must try my lemon dump cake!
It’s fabulous, especially served with vanilla ice cream. Another favorite lemon treat is lemon brownies, they are awesome.
Love this recipe? Check out more delicious desserts:
Easy Mexican Cheesecake Recipe
Easy Marbled Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies
Easy Raspberry Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies
Easy Coffee Crumb Cake without Sour Cream
Delicious Duncan Hines Lemon Bundt Cake Recipe
A quick dessert made with a box cake mix and lemon gelatin that is light and fluffy, a tasty treat for any occasion!
Ingredients
- 1 box Duncan Hines cake mix - 15.25 ounces
- 1 box lemon gelatin - 3 ounces
- 2/3 cup of water - HOT
- 2/3 cup oil - vegetable
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
- 4 large eggs - room temperature
- Easy Lemon Glaze
- 1 cup confectioners' sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (juice from 1 lemon)
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Adjust a rack in the center of the oven.
- Preheat the oven to 350 F degrees.
- Spray a 10 cup bundt pan heavily with cooking spray.
- Dust the pan with flour, shaking out any excess flour.
- Add the box of cake mix and lemon gelatin powder into a large mixing bowl.
- Pour in the oil, hot water, vanilla extract, and lemon extract.
- Mix on low speed for 30 seconds.
- Slowly add the eggs and mix for 1 minute.
- Turn off the mixer and scrape down the the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
- Return the beaters to the bowl and mix on medium speed for 2 minutes or until completely blended.
- Pour batter evenly into the prepared bundt cake pan.
- Place the cake pan in the center of the oven.
- Bake 35 - 40 minutes. The cake is done when it is light golden brown and has just begun to pull away from the sides of the pan. (see FAQ's)
- Use oven mittens and remove the pan from the oven.
- Cool on a wire rack for 10 to 15 minutes.
- While the cake is cooling, prepare the lemon glaze.In a small bowl combine the confectioners' sugar, fresh lemon juice, and milk. Mix with a spoon until the sugar is dissolved and glaze is smooth. (see Recipe Tips)
- Spoon glaze over the warm cake. Sprinkle lemon zest over the top.
Notes
Helpful Equipment and Tools
- Large bowl
- Electric mixer (hand or stand)
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Bundt pan
- Cake tester or a toothpick
- Hand citrus juicer
- Cooling rack
- Serving plate
- Zester tool
- Small bowl
- Oven mitts
Recipe Tips
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice for the desired consistency of the glaze. Less for thicker and more for thinner. With the quantities listed in this recipe, most of the glaze is absorbed into the moist cake. Decrease the lemon juice to one tablespoon for a harder icing.
- The rind of one lemon produces about 1 tablespoon of zest. Using a citrus zester is the easiest tool, but the small side of a cheese grater can be used in a pinch!